October 13, 2018 marks a rare but major milestone in the history of the University of Botswana. For the first time since its establishment 36 years ago, Mmadikolo will see three of its alumni notching up some of the highest honours in a university setup in a single day.

Thus, the University of Botswana will confer Honorary Doctorate on His Excellency, the President, Mr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, at its 36th Graduation Ceremony on 13th October 2018. President Masisi is a graduate of the University of Botswana where he trained as a teacher in Secondary Education, majoring in English and History. He is the first University of Botswana graduate to become its Chancellor, a position he was appointed to on July 17 2017 but which he relinquished when he became President of the Republic of Botswana on April 1, 2018. He is also the first former student to hold the position of President of the Republic of Botswana.

On the same day, former Bank of Botswana Governor, Ms Linah Mohohlo, another former student who read accounting and business, economics, finance and investments, will be inaugurated as the 5th Chancellor of the University of Botswana. Ms Mohohlo was appointed Chancellor on July 19, 2018 as per Section 7 (1) of the University of Botswana Act of 2008. Her appointment also makes her the first woman, second former student and third none head of state to hold such a position. The appointment of a Chancellor who is not a sitting president follows amendment of the University of Botswana Act in 2008 detaching the position of Chancellor from the first office of the land - the presidency of the Republic.

Ms Mohohlo is an experienced leader who has served in different capacities locally and internationally. She has a firm and grounded understanding of the University which she had been serving in various capacities over the years, notably as the Deputy Chairman of the UB Foundation.

Another former student, Professor David Norris, who graduated with BSc in Biology and Physics in 1988, will be inaugurated as the 6th Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana. Since its inception in 1982, UB has had five Vice Chancellors in Professor John Turner (1982-1984), Professor Thomas Tlou (1984-1998), Professor Sharon Siverts (1998-2003), Professor Bojosi Otlhogile (2003-2011) and Professor Thabo Fako (2011-2017).

Prior to joining UB, Professor Norris was Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BUIST), a position he had held since 2016. Previously, he worked for the University of Limpopo ((formerly University of the North), South Africa from 20016 to 2016. He also worked for Austin Peay State University, USA from 1998 to 2000.